How to Prevent and Treat Dandruff

What is Dandruff?

Dandruff is the occurrence of drying dead cells falling off from the scalp tissue as flakes from underneath your hair. This is a very normal, reoccurring side effect of your body, expelling dead, dry, or infectious particles of skin. Everyone gets dandruff, unless there is a disease that prevents your body from shedding skin. Some people may get this worse than others due to multiple reasons. I am here to try to help you find a route to a solution.

Why Is My Dandruff So Bad?

Bad dandruff may be caused from many different factors.

1. Change Shampoos- Change the shampoo that you use daily. There might be an ingredient in the shampoo that your scalp has grown irritable towards.

2. Skin Conditions- Do you have a skin condition, and if so, are you being treated? You might need to ask your doctor.

3. Climate- Depending on the elevation of where you live and how close you live to Earth's equator, dry climates might be causing your dandruff to worsen, especially during changing of seasons.

4. Health- Are you healthy? Eat a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables and proteins and try taking vitamins. I would suggest asking your doctor or local pharmacist what vitamins are best to take if you are unsure for any reason.

5. Stress- Are you going through allot of stress lately? Stress increased production of your hormones and ages your skin cells much faster. You might also have dry, brittle, frizzy hair due to stress levels.

6. Hormones- Hormone changes are a common reason for excess dandruff. You might be an adolescent or adult going through a life change.

7. Prescriptions- Prescriptions turn out to be a huge reason for dandruff on-set. Certain prescriptions contain chemicals that make it harder for your body to absorb water or produce oils from certain sweat glands.

8. Hygiene- Poor Hygiene causes dead cells to pile up on your skin as well as fungal growth. Your dandruff will get worse due to the layers of dead skin cells your scalp is trying to exude from its surface.

What Else Causes Dandruff?

Dandruff could be a sign of sensitive, dry skin, too much stress, or even the climate of the location in which you live. Sensitive, dry skin in the scalp could be a result of a type of eczema (skin allergy) that has become too dry or itchy

Side Effects of Dandruff

dry, itchy scalp

crusty patches of skin under the hair

How Can I prevent Dandruff?

1. Change Shampoos- Change the shampoo that you use daily. There might be an ingredient in the shampoo that your scalp has grown irritable towards.

2. Skin Conditions- If you have a skin condition and are having an issue with dandruff, consult your doctor for additional information on prescriptions that might help to prevent this issue from continuing.

3. Climate- If the climate or season changes where you live are causing the problem, you might want to try using vitamin-rich oils specially made for hair. You might want to try using a tad-bit of conditioner in your hair after a shampoo cleaning, possibly leaving it in your hair. This will help keep your hair stay moisturized throughout the day and absorb vitamins from within the conditioner.

4. Health- Vitamins will work wonders with your hair and make you feel much better. If you want to take a more natural approach, try eating plenty of fruits, vegetables and proteins such as nuts, fish, meats, and poultry.

5. Stress- If your dandruff might be caused by stress, try many things such as therapy (no-offense), listening to music or wearing earplugs in one or both ears during a course of the day, try meditation, listening or reading fun jokes..... or try aromatherapy. Aromatherapy has been proven to help stressed, busy people who have no time to sit and relax.

6. Hormones- If hormones are likely causing your dandruff, you might want to ask your doctor for their recommendations. You might want/need to take vitamins, use different hair products, or take prescription (it depends on what your doctor thinks).

7.Prescriptions- If your dandruff has gotten worse due to a new or existing medication, it is best to consult your doctor and find a better plan or solution for this developed condition.

8. Hygiene- If poor hygiene is the issue of your dandruff then you need to take a shower, bath, or scrub your hair out in the sink with any soap. I would suggest taking a full shower instead of a bath though, so that you are not fermenting in the old bacteria and dead skin. It often helps when you wash and rinse your hair twice that way you get off the oils from your scalp during the first wash and the lifting dead skin the second time.

Special Dandruff Shampoos

Head and Shoulders Intensive Treatment Shampoo

Jason Tea Tree Oil Shampoo

Selsum Blue Naturals Dandruff Shampoo

Herbal Essences No Flakin' Way Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

Pantene True Confidence Anti-Dandruff 2-in-1 Shampoo + Conditioner

Garnier Fructis Fortifying Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

*** PRICES MAY VARY UPON LOCATION.***

Prevent Dandruff From Coming Back

Keep up the hygiene and a balanced meal of fruits, vegetables, and proteins (meats, nuts, dairy's, poultry...). Vitamins are always a great back-up for your health, and the prevention of dandruff as well. Consult your doctor if you are unsure of the reasons for your dandruff condition, or for any other questions or concerns that you might have. If you don't have access to a doctor try asking a friendly pharmacist for help or suggestions... hopefully they will help you out a bit.

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